Classical Music and Orchestra Vocabulary in Spanish
If you are a classical music enthusiast, this amazing list of music terms in Spanish is perfect for you!
Read this blog post to access tons of music vocabulary and terms in Spanish. Soon you’ll be empowered to talk about classical music in Spanish without hesitation!
Orchestra Terms in Spanish
Are you an orchestra enthusiast? Check out this list of music terms in Spanish that you can use to talk about the orchestra and its components!
| English | Spanish |
| concertmaster | el concertino |
| conductor | el director de orquesta |
| instruments | los instrumentos |
| music director | el director musical |
| musicians | los músicos |
| orchestra | la orquesta |
| orchestral piece | la pieza orquestal |
| principal | el principal |
Example Sentences in Spanish
El concertino es el líder de la sección de cuerdas.
The concertmaster is the leader of the string section.
El director de la orquesta a veces se llama ‘maestro’.
The conductor is sometimes called “maestro.”
El principal es el encargado de cada sección de la orquesta.
The principal is the one in charge of each orchestral section.
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Classical Musical Instruments
To discuss classical music with your Spanish-speaking friends, you need awesome music terms in Spanish like the ones on this list!
Instrument Families in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| brass | los metales |
| percussion | la percusión |
| keyboard | el teclado |
| strings | las cuerdas |
| vocals | las voces |
| woodwind | los vientos |
PRO TIP: You can add la sección de before these music terms in Spanish. For example: la sección de la percusión (the percussion section).
Example Sentences in Spanish
Mi parte favorita de la orquesta es la percusión.
My favorite part of an orchestra is the percussion.
¿Escuchaste los vientos? ¡Sonaron increíble!
Did you hear the woodwinds? They sounded amazing!
La sección de cuerdas sonó impecable.
The string section sounded impeccable.
String Instruments in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| double bass | el contrabajo |
| cello | el cello |
| guitar | la guitarra |
| lute | el laúd |
| mandolin | la mandolina |
| pedal harp | el arpa |
| viola | la viola |
| violin | el violín |
Example Sentences in Spanish
Me gustó cómo tocaron el contrabajo.
I liked how they played the double bass.
El violín es un instrumento de sonido delicado.
The violin is an instrument with a delicate sound.
Me gustaría aprender a tocar el chelo.
I would like to learn how to play the cello.
Brass Instruments in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| cornet | la corneta |
| horn | el corno |
| saxhorn | el bombardino |
| trombone | el trombón |
| trumpet | la trompeta |
| tuba | la tuba |
Example Sentences in Spanish
¿Qué te pareció cómo tocaron la trompeta?
What did you think of how they played the trumpet?
Yo solía tocar el trombón.
I used to play the trombone.
Woodwind Instruments in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| bagpipes | las gaitas |
| bassoon | el fagot |
| clarinet | el clarinete |
| harmonica | la harmónica |
| oboe | el oboe |
| piccolo | el flautín |
| saxophone | el saxofón |
| flute | la flauta |
Example Sentences in Spanish
¿Me enseñas a tocar el oboe?
Will you teach me how to play the oboe?
Ella es muy talentosa para tocar el clarinete.
She is very talented at playing the clarinet.
El saxófono es un instrumento bello.
The saxophone is a beautiful instrument.
Percussion Instruments in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| bongos | los bongós |
| cymbals | los platillos |
| bass drum | el bombo |
| drum kit | la batería |
| handbell | la campanilla |
| kettledrums | el timbal |
| orchestral bells | las campanas |
| tambourine | la pandereta |
| triangle | el triángulo |
| xylophone | el xilófono |
Example Sentences in Spanish
Los platillos son esenciales en la composición orquestal.
The clash cymbals are essential in orchestral compositions.
La batería de una orquesta es muy refinada.
The drum kit of an orchestra is quite sophisticated.
El bombo agrega un sonido especial a la orquesta.
The concert bass drum adds a special sound to the orchestra.
Keyboard Instruments in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| accordion | el acordeón |
| cembalo | el clavecín |
| organ | el órgano |
| piano | el piano |
| synthesizer | el sintetizador |
Example Sentences in Spanish
El acordeón es un instrumento difícil de tocar.
The accordion is a difficult-to-play instrument.
He tocado el piano desde que tenía 10 años.
I have played the piano since I was 10 years old.
El órgano también se usa en la iglesia y en partidos de béisbol.
The organ is also used at church and baseball games.
Vocal Types in Spanish
| English | Spanish |
| baritone | el barítono |
| bass | el bajo |
| soprano | soprano |
| tenor | tenor |
| treble | el agudo |
PRO TIP: Optionally add el tipo de voz before each of the terms listed above. For example: el tipo de voz barítono.
Example Sentences in Spanish
El tipo de voz soprano es el más agudo de las voces femeninas.
Soprano is the highest female voice.
Elton John es un tenor notable.
Elton John is a notable tenor.
Elvis Presley fue de los mejores barítonos.
Elvis Presley was one of the best baritones.
Interested in more singers and different vocal types? Check out 13 Classic Hispanic Songs You Should Know To Feel Native!
Classical Music Terms in Spanish
If you know about music theory, talk about it in Spanish using these handy classical music terms!
A-L
| English | Spanish |
| ascending | las notas ascendentes |
| beat | el compás |
| chord | la cuerda |
| composer | el compositor |
| composition | la composición |
| harmony | la armonía |
| interval | el intervalo |
| key | la nota musical |
| lyrics | la letra (de una canción) |
O-S
| English | Spanish |
| octave | el octavo |
| orchestration | la orquestación |
| overture | la apertura |
| pitch | el tono |
| quartet | el cuarteto |
| range | el rango |
| rehearsal | el ensayo |
| rhythm | el ritmo |
| score | la banda sonora |
| symphony | la sinfonía |
Example Sentences in Spanish
Las notas ascendentes son una serie de notas que van de un tono bajo a uno alto.
Ascending refers to a series of notes that go from a low to a high pitch.
Realizar una composición requiere de muchos conocimientos musicales.
Creating a composition requires lots of musical knowledge.
La apertura es el preludio de una ópera o ballet.
An overture is the prelude to an opera or ballet.
La banda sonora de una película es importante para contar la historia.
The score of a movie is important to tell the story.
Classical Music Genres
Every type of music has sub-genres, and classical music is no exception!
| English | Spanish |
| avant garde | la música de vanguardia |
| baroque | el barroco |
| chamber music | la música de cámara |
| chants | los cantos |
| choral | la música coral |
| early music | la música antigua |
| impressionist | la música impresionista |
| opera | la ópera |
| Renaissance | la música de renacimiento |
Example Sentences
En el barroco se utiliza mucho el piano.
Baroque music makes great use of the piano.
Los cantos se refieren a una forma de hablar o cantar rítmica.
Chants refer to rhythmic speaking or singing.
More Basic Music Terms in Spanish
To Attend – Ir (a algún evento)
¿Quieres ir al concierto de orquesta el viernes?
Do you want to attend the orchestra concert on Friday?
To Compose – Componer
Mi sueño es componer la banda sonora de una película.
My dream is to compose the score of a film.
To Direct – Dirigir
Dirigir una orquesta requiere de mucho talento.
Directing an orchestra requires lots of talent.
To Enjoy – Disfrutar
Te invito a disfrutar del ballet este sábado.
Let me invite you to enjoy the ballet show this Saturday.
To Learn – Aprender
Este año voy a aprender a tocar el piano.
This year, I will learn how to play the piano.
To Listen to Music – Escuchar música
Mi pasatiempo favorito es escuchar música clásica.
My favorite hobby is listening to classical music.
To Teach – Enseñar
Déjame enseñarte a tocar la guitarra.
Let me teach you how to play the guitar.
To Play (Instruments) – Tocar instrumentos
Tocar instrumentos es una habilidad impresionante.
Playing instruments is an impressive ability.
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